Clint Hurdle
Pittsburgh Pirates
The struggles of the Pirates that last two decades have been well chronicled
as they posted 20 consecutive losing seasons, after the heartbreaking loss in
the 1992 NLCS. In his first two seasons as skipper in Pittsburgh, Clint Hurdle
had the Pirates flirting with .500, only to fade in September. This year no fade
was in offing as the Pirates not only posted their first winning season in 20
years they secured a spot in the playoffs and will host the NL Wild Card game
after a 94-68 season that brought a baseball revival to the Steel City.

ROOKIE of the YEAR

ROOKIE of the YEAR

HANK AARON AWARD

HANK AARON AWARD

CY YOUNG

CY YOUNG

Max Scherzer
Detroit Tigers
It was not the best of seasons for Justin Verlander, but a new pitcher emerged
as the ace of the Detroit Tigers as Max Scherzer grooved his way to a 21-3
season. Scherzer was the only 20 game winner in the majors this season, as he won
19 of his first 20 decisions. Other pitchers may have had better ERA and more
strikeouts, but nobody pitched with the consistency of Scherzer, as his 2.90
ERA ranked fifth in the American League, while he had the second best strikeout
total with 240.

COMEBACK PLAYER of the YEAR

COMEBACK PLAYER of the YEAR

These are not just mere prediction but whom I believe should win the said awards.
Slected
by Frank Fleming on September 29, 2013 at 11:20 pm ET

John Farrell
Boston Red Sox
Starting with their late season collapse in 2011, the Red Sox were a mess.
The 2012 season was a train wreck as they finished in last place and topped 90
losses with Bobby Valentine. As the season came to a close the Red Sox held a fire
sale and looked to be a team that would use the 2013 season to simply retool.
However, it was the Sox of old in Boston, as they regained the top spot in the
American League East, and won the division rather easily with the best record
in baseball at 97-65. For that John Farrell deserves a bunch of the credit.

Francisco Liriano
Pittsburgh Pirates
Before he even turns 30, Francisco Liriano has had a full of up and down moments.
Following a breakout 12-3 season in 2006 missed an entire season after Tommy
John surgery. After struggling to regain his command, Liriano looked like
he regained his form in 2010. However, more struggles were to come as he was a
pure reclamation project for the Pirates who offered him an incentive laden two
year deal. On Tuesday, Liriano who is now the ace of the Pirates will start the
Wild Card Game, after completing a solid 16-8 season with a 3.02 ERA and 163
strikeouts.

Mariano Rivera
New York Yankees
Had his 2012 season not ended on the warning track in Kansas City with a knee
injury in May, chances are that Mariano Rivera would have retired. However,
the all-time greatest closer in baseball history wanted to end his career on his
own terms. That was a grand farewell from fans and opponents alike, with longtime
teammates Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte taking the ball in his final game.
However, the farewell tour still proved Rivera is one of baseball's best relievers
even at the age of 43, as he saved 44 games as he finished his career with
an all-time best 2.21 ERA.

Jose Fernandez
Miami Marlins
Yusiel Puig may have had the flash and the biggest impact, but the best rookie
in baseball this year was the fireballer in Miami. If not for the Marlins semiannual
fire sale, the 21 year old Jose Fernandez may have never even seen the
big leagues this year, but upon his debut he became something for jilted Marlins
fans to cheer. Playing on a team that lost 100 games, Fernandez posted a 12-6
record, while his 2.19 ERA was second best in all of baseball. Not bad for a
pitcher who before this season did not pitch above single A.

Wil Meyers
Tampa Bay Rays
While the National League had a pair of standout rookies, the American League
race is more wide open as nobody truly distinguished themselves. One top candidate
was Jose Iglesias was even traded during the season. However, the best of
the bunch is Wil Meyers, whom was the key player in the James Shields trade this
off-season. Though he only played half a season in the majors, Meyers impact
was undeniable as he became one of the Rays one reliable hitters as they battled
for a Wild Card spot. Meyers had a .835 OPS, with 13 home runs and 52 RBI with
a one game playoff left.

Chris Davis
Baltimore Orioles
Chris Davis, who once was considered a top prospect in baseball, had the definition
of a break oust season in 2013, becoming the first player since 2010 to
hit 50 home runs in a season as he set a new franchise record with 53 home runs.
Davis also led the majors with 138 RBI, as he posted a 1.004 OPS. In addition
Chris Davis joined elite company as he became just the third player in baseball
history to a have a season with 50 home runs and 40 doubles, joining Albert
Belle and Babe Ruth.

Paul Goldschmidt
Arizona Diamondbacks
Had the Diamondbacks not faded in the second half there is no doubt that Paul
Goldschmidt would be getting serious MVP consideration. His 36 home runs were
tied for most in the National League, while he had the best OPS at .952 and a
league best 125 RBI that were 16 better than anybody else in the senior circuit.
Paul Goldschmidt also was in the top ten in the National League in doubles,
while he also led the league with a .551 slugging percentage.

Clayton Kershaw
Los Angeles Dodgers
Is there any doubt that Clayton Kershaw is the best pitcher in all of baseball?
Last year he finished a close second in the Cy Young race, this year it won't
even be a contest as Kershaw wins the Cy Young for the second time in three
seasons. His 1.88 ERA is the best in all of baseball since the year 2000, while
his 0.92 WHIP and .195 OBA is among the best since the lowering of the mound
since 1969. In addition Kershaw is just fifth pitcher to win three straight ERA
titles, joining Greg Maddux, Roger Clemens, Lefty Grove and Sandy Koufax.

Miguel Cabrera
Detroit Tigers
Through most of the second half of the season, Miguel Cabrera battled a sour
hip that would have landed most players on the disabled list. However, Cabrera
battled through the pain and while playing at 75% he was still better than most
players who were healthy. Once again Cabrera led the American League in hitting
with a .345 average, the third straight batting crown for Miguel Cabrera. A
year after winning the Triple Crown Cabrera finished second in RBI with 137, just
one less than Chris Davis, while his 44 homers match his league leading total
from 2012. In addition his 1.078 OPS was even better than his Triple Crown numbers,
as the Tigers again reigned in the American League Central.

Andrew McCutchen
Pittsburgh Pirates
When he was called up in 2009 after the trade of Nate McLouth, Pirates fans
initially upset by the deal saw that the future was arriving in Pittsburgh. Right
away Andrew McCutchen became a fan favorite with his engaging smile and hard
nonstop hustle. Soon it was clear that Andrew McCutchen was more, he was the
first true star in Pittsburgh since the departure of Barry Bonds. Those who follow
baseball close have appreciated McCutchen for years as he was on the cover
of MLB 2013, now he gets some hardware as the NL MVP. McCutchen was a big reason
for the Pirates resurgence as he finished the season strong with a .342 average
in the second half.